Manchester United have made a difficult start to their domestic campaign and that has increased the importance of their return to Champions League action.
Michael Carrick’s side have struggled for consistency in the Premier League. Their latest setback came with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
European competition has provided a more encouraging start. United opened their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Sabah FK.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez scored in that comfortable home win.
United now travel to Atletico Madrid for their first Champions League away fixture in nearly three years. However, preparations have been disrupted by fresh fitness concerns.
According to The Sun, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw missed Manchester United training on Monday morning. Both players featured against Tottenham on Saturday.
Mainoo completed the entire match after withdrawing from England duty during the international break. Shaw started the game but Ayden Heaven replaced him during stoppage time.
A decision is expected later on whether Mainoo and Shaw will travel to Madrid. Their potential absences would create further problems for Carrick ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu are already recovering from injuries, leaving United particularly short of options at left-back.
Diogo Dalot could consequently move across to the left. Leny Yoro could then continue at right-back after starting there against Tottenham. Sesko was also absent from Monday’s training session.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt participated as he continues recovering from a back injury. United have been carefully managing the defender during the final stages of his recovery from surgery.
It remains unclear whether De Ligt will travel with the squad to Spain. Atletico enter Tuesday’s Champions League meeting in strong form.
They sit second in LaLiga after winning four consecutive matches, including a victory against Real Madrid. Carrick therefore faces another difficult test as United attempt to maintain their perfect European start.
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